Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06MANAMA1317
2006-07-19 13:24:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Embassy Manama
Cable title:  

TFLE01: PUBLIC PROTESTS, EMOTIONAL STATEMENTS ON

Tags:  PREL PGOV PTER BA REGION POL 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0001
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHMK #1317/01 2001324
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 191324Z JUL 06
FM AMEMBASSY MANAMA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5260
INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RHBVAKS/COMUSNAVCENT PRIORITY
RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 001317 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/19/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER BA REGION POL
SUBJECT: TFLE01: PUBLIC PROTESTS, EMOTIONAL STATEMENTS ON
LEBANON

REF: A. MANAMA 1305

B. MANAMA 1288

Classified By: DCM Susan L. Ziadeh for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

-------
Summary
-------

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 001317

SIPDIS

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/19/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER BA REGION POL
SUBJECT: TFLE01: PUBLIC PROTESTS, EMOTIONAL STATEMENTS ON
LEBANON

REF: A. MANAMA 1305

B. MANAMA 1288

Classified By: DCM Susan L. Ziadeh for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

--------------
Summary
--------------


1. (C) Between five and 15 thousand men, women, and children
marched July 18 to express their support for Lebanon and
Hizballah. Protesters chanted pro-Hizballah and
anti-American statements. Leading Shia political society
Secretary General Shaikh Ali Salman spoke at the rally

SIPDIS
stating that Israel targets civilians, while Hizballah
targets military sites. A pre-march release from the Council
of Islamic Clerics (Shia) demanded pressure on Israel to
cease the attacks on Lebanon. It regretted some Arab and
Islamic reactions that have described the "Islamic
resistance" as a "miscalculated adventure." In a July 18
meeting with journalists, Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid said
that Israel should compensate Lebanon for the damage and loss
of life and called on super powers to commit themselves to
finding a just and viable peace. With an eye clearly to his
domestic (majority Shia) audience, he said the world can
blame Hizballah's misjudgment but cannot doubt its loyalty
and good intentions. Comment: While the government would
welcome a weakening of Hizballah, it is watching with
apprehension as the latest events send the country's Shia
into the streets with Hizballah banners. End summary.

--------------
The Public Hits the Streets
--------------


2. (U) Estimates of between five and 15 thousand people,
including a large number of clerics, representatives of
political (Shia and Sunni) and civil society groups, women
and children, gathered and marched near downtown Manama July
18 to express their solidarity with Lebanon and Hizballah.
Protesters carried a wide range of flags including those of
Lebanon, Palestine, Hizballah, Iran, and Bahrain. Protesters
also carried pictures of Hizballah leader Hasan Nasrallah and
banners that read "Down with Israel" and chanted the slogans
"God Bless Nasrallah," "Hizballah is the Victor," and "Death
to America." A spokesperson from Wa'ad political society

(secular) stated, "We must stand with Lebanon. We will
support Hizballah by donating five percent of our salaries
(to them)."


3. (U) At the protest, leading Shia political society Al
Wifaq Secretary General Shaikh Ali Salman spoke to the crowd
saying that statements from the U.S. administration and the
international community represent a political setback for
resolving developments in the region. He stated that
Israel's war focuses on killing civilians by targeting
school, hospitals, Islamic community centers, while Hizballah
targets military sites and makes efforts to stay away from
civilian locations. Israel is trying to pull Iran and Syria
into the conflict, but "these two countries have nothing to
do with the tension." Shaikh Ali pledged that demonstrations
would continue until captives are released and all Arab lands
are liberated.


4. (U) A statement released by the Council of Islamic
Clerics (Shia) distributed prior to the march, demanded that
the UN Security Council and the international community put
pressure on the "Zionist entity" to cease military actions.
It also demanded that the international community denounce
American and British diplomatic efforts to protect Israel's
right to self defense and to prevent condemnation of Israel.
The release expressed regret at official Arab and Islamic
statements that describe the "Islamic resistance" as a
"miscalculated adventure," claiming that these statements
incite the public.

--------------
The FM Talks with the Press
--------------


5. (U) In a meeting with journalists at the Correspondents
Club July 18, Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid Bin Ahmed Al
Khalifa said that Israel's actions in Lebanon and Palestine
were a flagrant violation of international law and human
rights. He advocated Israel's compensating Lebanon for the
loss of civilian life, damage to the infrastructure, and
losses to the national economy. He called for an immediate
cease-fire and exchange of prisoners and urged the super
powers to be committed to a just and viable peace in the

Middle East, establishing an independent Palestinian state
with Jerusalem as its capital.


6. (U) When asked about Hizballah, Shaikh Khalid said that
this was an internal matter and the Lebanese government would
deal with it. Hizballah is like any Arab party that calls
for the liberation of Arab lands. He added, "The Arab world
can blame the misjudgment of Hizballah but cannot doubt its
good intentions and loyalty to Lebanon and the region."
Asked about Saudi influence on Bahraini statements and
actions toward Lebanon, the FM said, "Bahrain is an
independent country and is not influenced by others. Our
rejection of the war on Lebanon is based on our beliefs as
well as obligations toward all Arab countries."


7. (U) The FM downplayed rumors of arguments between Arab
foreign ministers in Cairo July 15, saying that although
there were disagreements on some matters, "different opinions
always enrich deliberations." Regarding Yemen's offer to
host an Arab summit, Shaikh Khalid said that leaders were
discussing the matter to determine what outcomes might
result, and that Bahrain was ready to participate provided
concrete objectives could be realized.

--------------
Well-known Businessman Goes Public
--------------


8. (U) Wealthy Shia businessman (and Al-Wifaq member) Faisal
Hassan Jawad took out a half page advertisement in Arabic
daily Al Wasat in which he released the following statement.
"I add my voice to those of the sons of our Arab and Islamic
nations, in denouncing the international and regional silence
over the crisis of the Lebanese people. I appeal to the Arab
and Muslim countries to withdraw their ambassadors from
America and the European Union in condemnation of the savage
attacks in Lebanon that are reaching innocent civilians
without mercy."

--------------
GOB Donation to Lebanon
--------------


9. (U) Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa
issued a directive July 18 to donate five million Bahraini
dinars ($13.3 million) to a fund that will support Lebanese
victims of Israeli attacks. The PM affirmed Bahrain's full
support to Lebanon.

--------------
Columns Continue
--------------


10. (U) Columnist Sayed Zahra of Akhbar Al Khaleej wrote
July 19 that statements by Secretary Rice and other
high-level officials indicate that a cease-fire should only
be declared after Hizballah and other groups are no longer
capable of threatening Israel. This shows the super powers'
bias in allowing Israel time to eliminate the resistance
without considering the massacre of the Lebanese people.
Columnist Aqeel Swar calls attention in his commentary to the
sense of defeat that will be felt by the Arab peoples if
Israel wins the war.


11. (C) Comment: While the government clearly would
welcome a weakening of Hizballah, which would also mark a
setback for Iran in its regional aspirations, it is also
watching with some apprehension as the Israeli attacks on
Hizballah galvanize the country's Shia majority population.
Not only are prominent Shia political leaders like Shaikh Ali
Salman and leading Shia businessmen like Faisal Jawad taking
up the Hizballah banner, but Shia are once again taking to
the streets carrying pictures of Hassan Nasrallah and waving
the yellow Hizballah flags. Because the issue is Israeli
attacks on Hizballah as well as the reported destruction of
Lebanese infrastructure, it is more difficult for the
government to react strongly against this latest
manifestation of Shia activism.

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